Breaking: WWE Draft announced for October, effectively ending Wild Card Rule
In some late breaking news, WWE have announced a two-night Draft that will take place on Raw and SmackDown this time next month in October.
We are mere hours away from WWE’s next Pay-Per-View, Clash of Champions, but the company have decided to keep us buzzing before the festivities even begin. In a tweet over on their official Twitter account, they have confirmed some long standing rumors that have been abuzz for some time now: we are getting a Draft in October.
As expected, this Draft will take place during a two night period. First, on the Oct. 11 episode of SmackDown on FOX, then on the Oct. 14 episode of Raw on USA Network just three days later. Given that WWE have used the classic “Draft” terminology rather than their more recent Superstar Shake-Up wording, we should expect the company to return to the traditional format that we saw on the first night of the 2016 brand split regime. The statement from WWE seems to confirm this as well.
"“On both nights of the Draft, Superstars from Raw and SmackDown will appear along with personalities from FOX and NBCUniversal programming to announce select picks that will determine the rosters of each distinct brand.”"
It is unclear at this point in time exactly which “personalities” from FOX and NBCUniversal will be on hand for the Draft, but we will try to keep our readers updated as more details present themselves.
Furthermore, the return of the WWE Draft seems to also confirm (although, not explicitly) the end of the Wild Card Rule. The rule wherein Superstars from both Raw and SmackDown could appear on any show they please at any given time. The rule has received criticisms from fans and critics alike, as the rules at times seemed just too “wild” to keep up with. Perhaps fans will rejoice now that it’s gone.
It is unclear right now how WWE’s additional brands (NXT, NXT UK, 205 Live, etc.) will factor into this Draft, or if they will play a factor at all.
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Tune in next month for the WWE Draft. Until then, we will return with more details on the Draft as WWE reveals them in due time.